Breast Augmentation Recovery Time

If you have breasts that are not in proportion to your body, uneven breasts, or smaller cup sizes that you’d like, then breast augmentation may be right for you. Breast augmentation is a surgical enhancement of the breasts by inserting an implant behind each breast. This procedure changes the size, form, and physical feel of your breasts. Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Though not typical, an overnight hospital stay may be recommended.

Recovery Procedures

Breast augmentation is surgery and it does require recovery time. The patient may feel fatigued and have sore or tender breasts for the first few days following the procedure. At this point, rest is the best medicine. The patient should not feel alarmed if her breathing is slightly restricted; this is normal given the procedure and will improve over the next few weeks. As the patient rests, it’s recommended for her to maintain an upright or semi-upright position in order to maximize comfort and minimize swelling. If necessary, the patient may be prescribed painkillers.

The patient may experience tightness in the breast areas as the skin adjusts to the new breast size and implants. It’s not uncommon to notice a slight numbness or diminished sensation in the breasts and nipples during immediate recovery. The surgeon may recommend massaging the skin around the breasts or practicing breast exercises in order to speed up recovery and help with discomfort.

Some surgeons will require that the patient wears a compression bandage or a jogging bra for positioning and extra support. The patient may also be asked to wear a well-fitted sports bra for 24 hours a day for up to three months following breast augmentation. There are some surgeons who may not recommend a bra for a short period following the surgery.

The patient may return to work a few days following the procedure, but soreness is common for some time following surgery. If the patient experiences painful twinges or general discomfort, over-the-counter pain medications are recommended. It’s crucial for the patient not to over-exert herself and slow down the recovery process. The patient should avoid strenuous activity that will raise blood pressure and increase heart rate. Specifically, exercises that require significant use of the arms and chest should be avoided.

The patient’s breasts may remain swollen and sensitive to physical contact for a month or even longer following surgery. She will be given advice about keeping the incision sites out of direct sunlight for approximately one year, because the skin in these areas is particularly sensitive to sunlight and can easily burn.

If you’d like a free consultation by a board-certified plastic surgeon, make an appointment with Dr. Amjadi. His Houston office offers a no-obligation free consultation. Get the information you need to make the right decision for you!